Isabel and the Invisible World

by Alan Lightman, Ramona Kaulitzki (Illustrator)

Overview

“Emphasizes the wonders that science can reveal. . . . Invisibly and effectively instructive.” —Kirkus Reviews

There’s only one gift Isabel wants for her sixth birthday: a way to see invisible things. She can hardly think of anything else! Finally, the day of her party arrives. Unwrapping a big box, Isabel finds a surprise inside—a glass prism—and a dazzling world of previously invisible color emerges, lighting up the room around her. What else could be out there, waiting for her eyes to discover? In simple, engaging language, complemented by luminous artwork from best-selling illustrator Ramona Kaulitzki, author and physicist Alan Lightman unveils the hidden world of light waves—the ones you can see and the ones you can’t. Back matter delves briefly into the subject of wavelengths, radio waves, and X-rays for readers curious to know more.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781536233858
Publisher:	Candlewick Press
Publication date:	08/20/2024
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	9.69(w) x 10.69(h) x 0.16(d)
Age Range:	4 - 6 Years

About the Author

Alan Lightman is a physicist, educator, and acclaimed author for children and adults. His debut picture book, Ada and the Galaxies, illustrated by Susanna Chapman, was published by MIT Kids Press in 2021. He is also the best-selling author of Einstein's Dreams. Alan Lightman has a PhD in theoretical physics and is a professor of the practice of humanities at MIT. He lives in Massachusetts.

Ramona Kaulitzki is the illustrator of many books for children, including Winter Lullaby by Dianne White and the #1 New York Times bestseller Sisters First by Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush. When she’s not illustrating, she can be found somewhere outdoors or at the riding stable. Ramona Kaulitzki lives in Potsdam, Germany.

Editorial Reviews

This simple but effective introduction to portions of the electromagnetic spectrum is physicist Lightman’s second science-inspired book for children. As in Ada and the Galaxies (2022), co-written by Olga Pastuchiv and illustrated by Susanna Chapman, he emphasizes the wonders that science can reveal, nicely ending his narrative with Isabel wondering about other invisible things. . . . Invisibly and effectively instructive.
—Kirkus Reviews

Softly rendered digital art not only sets a playful tone but offers plenty of hints about light and prisms to find before and after reading, from streaming sunlight to stained-glass windows to rainbows in confetti, cakes, and Isabel’s birthday posters. . . . A charming, breezy introduction to STEM basics.
—Booklist

From the Publisher

2022-12-24
A special present reveals a world we can’t ordinarily see.

For her sixth birthday, Isabel would like to be able to see invisible things. She seems to have in mind things like her friend Genevieve’s imaginary pet, but in this engaging story, her parents come up with a real surprise. After a week of waiting, a party, and a cake, she opens her big present, a prism. Refracted through the prism, ordinary sunlight spreads out to show all the colors of a rainbow, and the invisible becomes visible. This simple but effective introduction to portions of the electromagnetic spectrum is physicist Lightman’s second science-inspired book for children. As in Ada and the Galaxies (2022), co-written by Olga Pastuchiv and illustrated by Susanna Chapman, he emphasizes the wonders that science can reveal, nicely ending his narrative with Isabel wondering about other invisible things. Isabel’s eager anticipation is realistic and familiar. Even when she receives her gift, it’s concealed within a series of boxes. (Adults can admire the parallels with scientific discovery.) Isabel’s scientist mother expands a bit on prisms, describing radio waves as another color of light we can’t see. Backmatter gives a more detailed explanation. Kaulitzki’s warm digital illustrations make effective use of light and color. Isabel’s family appears to be multiracial; Isabel and her father are brown-skinned, while her mother and brother are lighter-skinned. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Invisibly and effectively instructive. (Informational picture book. 4-7)

Kirkus Reviews